Roger Edmonds and David Stimson win the EBU Northern Seniors Congress

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD pair Roger Edmonds and David Stimson won the pairs event at the EBU Northern Seniors Congress last month.
Despite only narrowly qualifying for the 57-board final, they finished top overall to triumph in the Harrogate event.

David said: "We were relieved to have qualified on the Friday night, but this made us concentrate for the final.
"We are delighted to have won."

The following deal illustrates how tops can come not from fancy card play - sound bidding judgement can be just as profitable.


We were sitting E/W, N/S Vul.

David said: "Roger is not normally an underbidder, but viewed his poor side suits, and singleton in my suit, judging to bid two rather than three spades, whch was favoured by most other Wests.

"Most pairs played in four spades and a few in three spades - usually only eight tricks were made. Good judgement or good luck?"

Roger and David both play at Hemel Hempstead Bridge Club and live in the town.